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Boules match descends into violent brawl

The Local France
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Boules match descends into violent brawl
Photo: AFP

A regional pétanque (boules) championship in south western France was marred earlier this month when one of the matches descended into a mass brawl, that saw seven people arrested and the referee suffer a blow to the head.

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The French take their pétanque (or boules as it also known abroad) seriously, although some a little too seriously it seems.

The Aquitaine championships in south western France descended into chaos earlier this month when a match was marred by a mass brawl, Sud Ouest newspaper reports.

According to reports one player became annoyed by the presence of an old rival in the crowd and things quickly got out of hand and the pair became involved in an altercation.

SEE ALSO: Pétanque: Ten things you really need to know

With the arena in shock, four people arrived armed with bats, iron bars and even a walking stick with a metal handle as the dispute turned violent.

The spectator was left badly injured in the fracas and the referee suffered a blow to the back of the head.

The brawl was apparently covered up by the tournament’s organisers until mobile phone footage was passed to the police.

Seven people were arrested in connection with the fight, including three generations of one family – the grandfather, son and grandson.

They face charges of violence and using a weapon during a sporting event.

Last year, the pétanque world championships were marred by death threats leading one team to drop out. 

VIDEO: Fox steals 38 boules balls

SEE ALSO: Pensioner killed by runaway circus elephant 

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